Former Chelsea striker Salomon Kalou has said criticism from his Hertha Berlin coach has seen the Ivory Coast forward rediscover his goal-scoring touch in Germany’s Bundesliga.
Kalou, 30, who played for Premier League side Chelsea from 2006 until 2012, arrived in the German capital at the start of last season, but scored just six goals in his first Bundesliga campaign, which drew criticism from Berlin coach Pal Dardai.
This season he has already netted seven goals in 11 league games, including a hat-trick in the 3-1 win at Hanover 96 ten days ago, and Kalou says Dardai’s harsh words have helped him score to push Hertha up to fourth in the Bundesliga.
['I'm not hot on that idea, I need rest': Didier Drogba rules out short-term Chelsea return]
"He's a hard person, because he is honest," Kalou told German magazine Kicker.
“You need to tolerate hearing the truth, he tells you exactly what you lack and when there is only harmony, you don’t achieve anything in football.
“I now know how the Bundesliga works and for the first time, I took full part in all the pre-season training this summer — that was the key.”
Kalou was part of the Ivory Coast squad which won the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations, converting a spot-kick when his side won February’s final 9-8 in a penalty shoot-out against Ghana following a goalless draw.
But when last season ended in May, Dardai said he needed to see “more aggression, more fire” and Kalou admits the tough talk had the desired effect.
“He has the right to do, he’s the boss and as players we should want to improve ourselves,” Kalou said.
“Pal Dardai managed it, he pushes me to the limit.”
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Women’s World T20, Asia Qualifier
UAE results
Beat China by 16 runs
Lost to Thailand by 10 wickets
Beat Nepal by five runs
Beat Hong Kong by eight wickets
Beat Malaysia by 34 runs
Standings (P, W, l, NR, points)
1. Thailand 5 4 0 1 9
2. UAE 5 4 1 0 8
3. Nepal 5 2 1 2 6
4. Hong Kong 5 2 2 1 5
5. Malaysia 5 1 4 0 2
6. China 5 0 5 0 0
Final
Thailand v UAE, Monday, 7am
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Toilet cleaner
1 cup baking soda
1 cup castile soap
10-20 drops of lemon essential oil (or another oil of your choice)
Method:
1. Mix the baking soda and castile soap until you get a nice consistency.
2. Add the essential oil to the mix.
Air Freshener
100ml water
5 drops of the essential oil of your choice (note: lavender is a nice one for this)
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Titanium Escrow profile
Started: December 2016
Founder: Ibrahim Kamalmaz
Based: UAE
Sector: Finance / legal
Size: 3 employees, pre-revenue
Stage: Early stage
Investors: Founder's friends and Family
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Sophie Shams (Dubai Exiles mini, England sevens international)
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Seren Gough-Walters (Sharjah Wanderers mini, Wales rugby league international)
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Erin King (Dubai Hurricanes mini, Ireland sevens international)
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Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
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Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
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Innotech Profile
Date started: 2013
Founder/CEO: Othman Al Mandhari
Based: Muscat, Oman
Sector: Additive manufacturing, 3D printing technologies
Size: 15 full-time employees
Stage: Seed stage and seeking Series A round of financing
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